Road drag



' Feb. 20, 1923. 1,446,419

I. J. GLERUM 'ROAD 123-14 Filed Oct.' 51, 1921 f sheets-sheet 2 I J 64mm? Patented eh. 2Q, lQ ZZli.

as q. d W vn we "a pa J1 n. i n a if. it"lii. film ll ll M a rnonnarer otnnnrt, or nnv'nzs LAKE, nonrn panora Roan DRAG.

Application filed. Qctober 31, 1921.

Drags; and 1 do declare the following to be a full, clear, and enact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. I

This invention relates to an improved road drag, and it has for its principal object to generally improve upon devices of this class by providing one of extreme simplicity and durability which will effectively level the road surface as accurately as possible, will remove high spots, will pulverize large lumps of dirt, and will drag the loose dirt into and fill hollows.

Another and very in'iportant object of the invention is to provide a road drag which is composed of a plurality of relatively movable sections, preferably in the form of substantially square diamond shaped open frames which directly contact the ground, novel connectors being employed for attaching the various frames to one another and the connections being such that the forward portion of the drag is flexible, whereas the rear or remaining portion is substantially rigid, that is, the rear cross rows of frames are held in the same horizontal plane to prevent dirt which has beendeposited in small hollows from being dragged out by this portion of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drag of this class in which the substantially square or diamond-shaped frames are arranged in transverse and longitudinal rows with at least one corner of each frame disposed toward the front so that the adjacent side portions thereof will deflect the loose dirt toward the sides of the road and in front of adjacent frames to be evenly number of frames employed in forming each frames.

Serial No. 511,784.

row are equal, thus permitting the hitching means to be connected with any side of the frames for pulling the drag transversely across the road or in a reverse direction. This is advantageous also inthat it enables the sides of the frames to be worn evenly.

Uther objects and advantages of the ini vention will be apparent during the course ofthe following description. u i

in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a top plan view ofa road drag constructed in accordance with this invention showing the preferred embodiment.

ml gure 2 is a side elevational. view thereof. Figure 3 is a top plan view of a slightly modified form of the invention.

l igure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional View showing the novel connectors for the Figure 5 is another slightly modified form of the invention showing substantially rhombic frames employed. if

Referring to the construction of the drag specifically, it will he seenthatthe same is "made up of a plurality of substantially square open frames 1. it is to he noted that these frames are made fr strips of metal and when in use the lower edges thereof are directly on the around, providing good levelingsurfaces. To accomplish the desired results and to insure effectiveness of operation, the frames are positioned corner to corner and are arranged in tranverse and longitudinal spaced rows and one corner of each frame is directed to ward the front so that the relatively wide side portions 2 will effectivelv deflect the dirt toward the gutters and iii casesof the central frames, deflect the dirt in front of adjacent succeeding frames to i be wenh spread and carried into small. recesses in. the road surface to fill the same. The corners of each frame are flattened slightly as indicated at the points 3 and these flattened i ortions are provided withrelatively large openings t whichserve a purpose to he hereinafter set forth. As previously pointed out. I make use of novel means for connecting the various frames together so that they will be capable of assuming different positions with respect to one another to accommodate the irregular contours. The means employed for accomplishing this end consist in each horses to the drag.

instance I of a bolt 5 which is extended through the openings 4 in adjacent frames. the threaded end thereof having a nut 6 arranged thereon to connect the frames together. Inasmuch as this bolt is smaller in diameter than the relatively large opening 4 through which it is passed it is obvious that the desired relative movement of the frames is permitted. I am led to state at this point rods serve'to hold the frames through which they pass in a substantially horizontal plane yet permit the same to rock on them to ac commodate irregularities in the road surface. Referring now to the forward endof the drag, it will be seenthat atransversely disposed channel-shaped member 8 is loosely connected with the foremost transverse row of frames and that angle bars 9 are extended along the outermost longitudinal rows of frames and are bolted or otherwise detach ably connected attheir forward ends to the member '8. The frames of, the outermost longitudinal rows are, of course, loosely connected with these angle bars 9 as shown and in order to retain the bars 9 in properly spaced relation and to insure rigidity of construction, I make use of a pair of diagonal braces 10 which are secured at the forward ends to the cross-member S by the same fastenings which serve to connect the side bars 9 thereto. Hook-bolts11 are fastened to the cross-member 8 at spaced points and these constitute means to permit connectionsof the chains or other hitching devices for the v the top brace member'is-arched at its center as indicated at 12 to enable it to extend across the other brace.

Referring now to the slightly modified form of the invention shown-in Fig. 8, it will be seen that this form of the drag is practically the same as that hereinbefore described with the exception that the side bars 9, braces 10 and rods 7 are omitted. This form-of drag is intended to be used on country roads where it is not. absolutely nec- .essary to level the same accurately. The

form of the drag first described is preferred and is especially designed for use on speedways, race tracks, and onother pathsof travel where extremely smooth surfaces are necessary. The formof the invention disclosed in this Fig. 3 is flexible from end to desired direction.

It is to be noted that end and side to side and does not actexactly like the one first described and as set forth, this form of the invention is desirable for use on rough country roads wherein great flexibility and much movement between the various frames is necessary to enable the deviceto conform to the irregular surface of the roads.

Referring now to the other modified form of the invention disclosed in Fig.5, it will seen that the frames 1 are substantially diamond shaped instead of shaped'like those-frames already described. This shape of frame will be desirable in many instances to replace the type previously shown and described. ll 'sher than the change in shape of the. frame. this form of the invention exactly like that form last described and shown more particularly in Fig. 8. These diamond shaped frames are, like those already des ribed loosely and pivotally connected together by the means already shown and described in detail. Therefore, the same reference characters will apply. It is, of course. understood that these particular 1y shaped frames may also beused in the first described form of the invention.

In use, draft of any kind is appliedto the device through the medium of the attaching hook 11 and cross-member Sand the device'drawn over the road so that the various frames are successively brought into contact with the lumps of dirt. to break them up and spread the dirt evenly over the entire surface of the road. When employ ing the form of the invention disclosed in Fig. the parts 8 and 11 can be detached from the foremost transverse rowo f frames and can be connected to the rear transverse row or side longitudinal rows to enable the device to be moved across the road or. in any As before set forth, this is advantageous because it permits the frames to be worn evenly.

Practical use of drags constructed in accordance with this invention has disclosed the fact that when continually drawn in one direction, the forward portion of the lower edges of the sides 2 of the frames become rounded. whereas the correspondingparts of the diverging portions of the same frames become worn in such a way as to provide cutting edges. Inthis respect,-the

device is self-sharpening- Consequently, when the drag is moved in a reverse direc tion, the sharpened edges of the frames opcrate to a more effective extent.

The foregoing description, taken in connection with the'drawings will doubtless be found sui'licient to enable persons familiar with road drags to obtain a clear under standing of the invention and the-various features of the particular device shown and I described together with the advantages acompl1shed thereby. In View of this a more esa-ere lengthy and detailed description is thought unnecessary.

Since probably the best results may be obtained with the construction and arrange ment herein shown and described, this is taken as the preferred embodiment of the invention. However, I wish it to be understood that minor changes coming within the scope of the invention as claimed may be resorted to if desired.

1 claim:

1. A road drag comprising a plurality of substantially square frames adapted to have the lower edges of their side portions in direct contact with the ground, the corners oi said frames beingflattened and disgosed opposite one another, said flattened corners being provided with relatively large openinns, and bolts of less diameter than the openings passing therethrough to connect the several "Frames together in a manner to permit tree relative movements.

:2. A road drag comprising a plurality of frames loosely connected together at their corners, and rods connected with a plurality of the rear frames for disposing the frames in the substantial horizontal plane, but permitting said frames to rock from side to side on said rod.

3. A road drag comprising a plurality oi substantially square open frames designed. to directly engage the ground, said frames being arranged corner to corner and disposed in transverse and longitudinal parallel rows with one corner of each frame disposed toward the front, means for connecting said frames together to permit tree relative movement thereof, a cross member connected with the foremost transverse row oi? frames, side bars connected with the outermost longitudinal row of frames, braces crossing one another at their centers and connected at their ends with, said side bars and cross-bar, and means associated with the rear transverse rows of frames for connecting the latter together and disposing bers passingloosely through said openings,

to connect the frames together and to permit relative movement thereof, longitudinal transversely spaced rods passing through openings in the corners of the rear frames to render the rear portion of the drag substantially rigid while permitting tt'ree fiexinp; or the forward portion, a cross bar loosely connected with the foremost transverse row of frames, and side bars connected at their forward ends with said cross bar and. also having connection with the outermost longitudinal. rows of frames.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

INGEBRIGT J. GLERUM. 

